Asia, China, A further note, [Minya Konka]

Publication Year: 1958.

A further note. The February 1958 issue of Der Bergsteiger, pp. 198-202, has an excellent account of the Chinese expedition to Minya Konka written by the leader, Shih Chan-Chun. The criticisms so justly made by Terris Moore of the article in People’s China cannot be made of this account. In Der Bergsteiger Shih Chan-Chun states, “Minya Konka was first climbed in 1932 by an American Sikang Expedition. Four American climbers, Richard L. Burdsall, Arthur B. Emmons, Terris Moore and Jack Theodore Young made the attempt and two of them, Burdsall and Moore reached the top.” [The names are all correctly spelled.] He goes on to say that their well-illustrated book gives “the very best detailed description of Minya Konka.” He describes the slip and the fatal fall of three of the climbers during the descent from the summit. As for the altitude, he gives 7590 meters (24,902 feet), obviously a rounding off of the American altitude to the nearest even 10 meters and only two feet above the other figure. The article in Der Bergsteiger appears to be an accurate account of the expedition stated in good taste.—Editor.